Top Stories for Tuesday July 15, 2008

Sharing Memories and Traveling Time with Madeleine Neuhoff
By Cookie Steponaitis
    If you think time travel is science fiction or a theme best expressed in George Orwell's novel The Time Machine you have obviously never sat down at a luncheon with guests where the average age is over ninety. The ability for these strong and intriguing individuals to “skip” through decades and presidents is easier than singing a musical scale. They have not only lived and experienced life through these eventful decades in American history; they also have strong views on America today and wonderful memories to share.
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On Crosby Heights with Heliarc Welder Michael Booska
By Cookie Steponaitis
    As you travel the back roads of Vermont, you often find yourself presented with a simple sign listing the talents of the individual at the residence that remains hidden from the main road. Words like artist, craftsman, welder, mason, or painter give a hint of the potential talents that lie just off the traveled path, but do little to prepare you for the scope of the skills of the individual. Such is the case with visiting the home shop of Heliarc welder Michael Booska, who in 2009 will begin his fortieth year as a welder.
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Town Hall Theater’s Grand Re-opening

    It took ten years, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors, and $5,000,000, but Middlebury's 1883 Town Hall Theater will soon be open for business.
    The Queen Anne structure is on the National Historic Register, but by the late 1990's it had fallen into serious disrepair.  A community group, headed by Douglas Anderson, purchased the building and worked tirelessly for a decade to raise the funds to restore the building.
    “This is a dream come true for a lot of people,” says Anderson.  “Not only have we saved this landmark building, but we've created a state-of-the-art facility that will serve this community in many ways.”
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Vergennes - 1814 to 1900
By M. Stuart Parks
    The battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 essentially ended the War of 1812 and Commodore Thomas McDonough took his place in the history books for his brilliant naval strategy.  General Samuel Strong is also not to be forgotten.  He was sent by Governor Chittenden to help the New York forces on land.  General  Strong was honored by New York for his “valor and public spirit and for the services rendered during the invasion of Plattsburgh by the British troops”.  He was presented with a sword of exquisite workmanship with a scabbard and hilt of gold.    [ more ]

French Heritage Day Brings to Life a 400 Year Old Connection
By Cookie Steponaitis

    “... We entered the lake... Continuing our course over this lake on the western side, I noticed, while observing the country, some very high mountains on the eastern side, on top of which there was snow.” (From the journal of Samuel de Champlain, July 1609)